Lamanai River Tour

Belize Lamanai Tour

Lamanai, the place of "the submerged crocodile", has the longest known history in the Maya area. It was established around 900 BC and was still thriving when the Spanish arrived in AD 1544. In AD 1640, the Mayas rebelled against the Spanish, burning the church that was constructed and used to convert the Maya to Christianity.

The center contains eight major plazas and is well known for its "Mask Temple" which went through several building transformations from the Preclassic period around 200 BC to the Late Classic period around AD 800. It stands at 4.2 meters and shows a resemblance to the Olmec style of artwork. The mask is most likely the image of a Classic period ruler wearing a crocodile headdress.

Lamanai's tallest structure stands at 33 meters and was built in the Preclassic period around 100 BC. It has been named "the High Temple" and contained offerings such as jade, spondylus and obsidian.

One of the ball courts has a well preserved stela depicting the ruler, "Lord Smoking Shell." The ball court has a very small playing area, but the largest ball court marker in the Maya area.

A sugar mill used from the 1850's to the 1870's and the remains of two Spanish churches can also be viewed at the site of Lamanai.

You will be picked up at 8:00 am from your hotel or the Belize City Municipal Airport. The tour starts with a one hour drive to the Orange Walk Toll Bridge. You will then board a boat and journey along the New River Lagoon to the site of Lamanai. During the boat ride, the tour will start with an introduction to Belize's fauna and flora which will last for about thirty-five minutes. After you arrive at Lamanai, your tour will start at the Lamanai Museum. After your museum tour, you will take a ten-minute hike to the Lamanai main plazas. The tour will take about 1.5 hours. At the conclusion of the tour, a Belizean lunch will be served. After lunch, you will have a chance to shop at the gift shops located at the park. After shopping, you will begin your journey back to Belize City where you will return to your hotel or to Belize Municipal Airport to board your flight back to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The tour finishes at 4:30 pm. Tour guide, lunch, water and sodas will be provided. All tours are inclusive of all admission fees and taxes.

Lamanai River Tour includes

Air conditioned transportation to and from the hotel or the Belize City Municipal Airport

Certified licensed tour guides

Belizean lunch and refreshments

Park’s admission fees and taxes

Who can do the Lamanai river tour?

Anyone who likes history and adventure tours

Must be in reasonable physical condition

Families

Adults and kids

What to bring

Comfortable footwear

Bug repellent and sun block

Camera

Tour options & Pricing

San Pedro and Belize City Guests ONLY (not available for cruise ship guests)